In memoriam: Danielle A. Parks (October 18, 1965 - July 31, 2007)

Danielle was a dedicated teacher and energetic researcher of international stature who passed away in 2007 following a two and a half year battle with leukemia. Despite the treatment she endured, she continued to teach, even if that meant doing so by video conferencing from her hospital bed; she continued to research, seeing the publication of a book (Roman Coinage of Cyprus, Nicosia 2005) and publishing seven articles and papers (with more forthcoming or in preparation) in the last two years; she continued to write research grant-proposals; she helped to launch Brock’s MA programme in 2006, serving as its first director. Her drive and industry were remarkable, inspirational, and unmatched.

Danielle’s research focused on the island of Cyprus especially in the Roman, Late Roman, and Early Byzantine periods. She was able to share her interest with her students, actively involving them in her research and teaching the archaeological practicum. She inspired many to continue their studies at graduate school and to return to Cyprus both with her and in connection with other excavations. She was also dedicated to the profession. She served on the executive of the Niagara Peninsula Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, sat on the Committee on Archaeological Policy, American Schools of Oriental Research, and was on the Board of Directors of the Canadian American Schools of Oriental Research.

Student Tributes:

Dr. Parks was one of the most influential people in my life. She was more than just a teacher, and I truly feel that I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I was in the very first class that she taught at Brock, and Istill remember that class. I also went on my first excavation with her. Through all the years I had her as a professor, she was always available to talk and to give the occasional push in the right direction.

Even after she got sick, she was available to offer advice and guidance, whether about going to grad school, or to help me in my research.

Cindy Lee Scott (BA and MA in Classics, Brock University)

Danielle truly was an inspiration. If it were not for her, I never would have discovered that I could actually be an archaeologist, and that I could combine my love of art and drawing with field work. Because of Danielle, I have seen more of the world than I ever could have hoped to see and I am on a path that is going to allow me to see more and more of it throughout my life. I loved working with her and being with her in Cyprus as a student, colleague, but mostly as a friend.

My association with Danielle Parks began in the fall of 2001 with her hollering down the hall, irritably demanding to know where her slide librarian was and intending to immediately effect certain improvements in the smewhat neglected slide collection.

Whatever it was about me that impressed her, I will never know. But Danielle immediately took me under her wing, and, for my last two years at Brock, I was the eager recipient of her advice, her mentorship, and the numerous opportunities she provided for me.

Since moving to Missouri, our association did not lessen in any way. Over the past four years she continued to advise me and provide me with research opportunities. My visits home would often include time spent with Danielle in pleasant conversation (or casual interrogation concerning my progress in graduate school). Danielle continually showed herself to be a caring and loyal person, while at the same time exhibiting a lively sense of humor and a biting wit.

In her 41 years, I only knew her in her final six. But in those six years Danielle influenced my life profoundly, as I know she did for many others. To the academic world she was a scholar of excellent caliber, but to those whose lives she touched, especially her students, she was a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. She will be missed terribly.

Mark D. Hammond (BA in Classics, Brock University, PhD candidate in Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia)

There is neither a need for me to comment on Danielle's numerous scholarly contributions nor to provide a testimonial concerning her teaching abilities since others have done so in much more eloquent ways. When I think about Danielle, I think about the friendship that I had with her. I think about the frequent emails, phone calls and visits in which I would express my worries and concerns to her. Danielle would always indulge me, laugh at me, and then tell me in that typical Danielle motherly way that I was being stupid. The ultimate point here is that she was always willing to listen no matter how trivial the subject was. Our conversations always ended with what Danielle liked to call gossip. She was always interested in how people, those whom we knew mutually, were doing. The reason for this was because Danielle cared about the people in her life. Danielle always made time for me no matter how busy or, later, how sick she was. In fact, I will always remember the great relish that she took in writing our appointments down in her palm pilot, Tiro. Just like any good friend, Danielle was supportive, encouraging, loving and honest. I am truly at a loss and deeply saddened by the passing of one of my best friends.